title: Toxic effects of chromium (VI) by maternal ingestion on liver function of female rats and their suckling pups.
abstract: Potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)) is an environmental contaminant widely recognized as a carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen toward humans and animals. This study investigated the effects of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) on the hepatic function of pregnant and lactating rats and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on female Wistar rats given 700 ppm of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) in their drinking water from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. Hepatotoxicity was objectified by the significant increase in liver malondialdehyde content and a significant accumulation of chromium in this soft tissue. Moreover, exposure to K(2)Cr(2)O(7) induced a decrease of glutathione, nonprotein thiols, and vitamin C in the liver of mothers and their suckling pups. Alteration of the antioxidant system in the treated group was confirmed by the significant decline of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, while liver superoxide dismutase activity increased in mothers and decreased in their offspring. It was found that K(2)Cr(2)O(7) induced liver damages as evidenced by the elevation of plasma aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase activities, and bilirubin levels. Impairment of the hepatic function corresponded histologically. Our investigation revealed hemorrhage, leukocytes infiltration cells, and necrosis, which were more pronounced in the hepatocytes of mothers than in those of their suckling pups.
authors.affiliation: Animal Physiology Laboratory, UR/08-73, BP1171 3000 Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nejla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soudani
authors.forename: Hanen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouaziz
authors.forename: Mediha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sefi
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chtourou
authors.forename: Tahia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boudawara
authors.forename: Najiba
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zeghal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002857:Chromium / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D002857:Chromium; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D011192:Potassium Dichromate